A few months into my pregnancy I received the sweetest package from my Mother-in-Law containing an infant sized Detroit Tigers baseball cap and the first pair of baby shoes my husband ever wore. I adore them.

I have long since aced my baby essentials list, amassing all of the must have items this li'l guy will need to be happy and healthy... yet I'm still shopping. I find myself buying items that I know aren't on any registry checklist, and I question every purchase.

Does my baby really need cool suede booties that he'll most likely grow out of before taking his first steps? No, probably not.

Will his educational development depend on a super cute crocheted elephant rattle that will make a great photo op on Pinterest? Nah, not so much.

Does his sleep success require a lovely, yet rather expensive muslin sleeping bag when I was given over a dozen swaddle blankets and pjs at my showers? I'm guessing no.

No, my son may not need all of these items, but here's the thing. These little trinkets and treasures are probably more for me than for him... keepsakes that I can only buy now, to commemorate this magical time in my life when I grew another human being in my tummy.

I can already see myself unpacking these special little somethings decades from now and tearing up, possibly before sending them to my son's future wife who is expecting my first grandson.